California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -The California Department of Insurance yesterday led a statewide multi-agency outreach effort, visiting more than 50 businesses to educate business owners about their obligations to comply with insurance, licensing, workplace safety and labor laws, tax codes, and regulations. Enforcement teams from five state agencies and several county district attorneys, including the Department of Industrial Relations, Contractors State License Board, Department of Insurance, Franchise Tax Board, Employment Development Department and the Board of Equalization swept across the state to visit a wide variety of businesses, such as construction, hotels, restaurants, car washes and auto repair.

"Every day the safety of workers is placed at risk, legitimate businesses are at a competitive disadvantage and the state is defrauded out of millions of dollars because dishonest businesses cheat the system by participating in the underground economy," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "As the eighth largest economy in the world, California's share of the illegal underground economy likely totals into the tens of billions of dollars and is costly to the state's economy."

The statewide effort resulted in more than 80 citations, including five serious infractions resulting in stop-work orders issued by the Department of Industrial Relations and Contractors State License Board. The Department of Insurance found 13 businesses without workers' compensation insurance and a number of businesses were referred to the Employment Development Department, State Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board due to incomplete recordkeeping. More than $135,000in fines and citations were given for a variety of violations and numerous referrals were issued for follow-up reviews for licensing, insurance, safety and tax compliance. Additional violations included unreported worker injuries, no payroll records, evidence of cash pay and unreported workplace injuries. As part of this statewide effort the teams educated all businesses visited about their responsibilities as well as provided informational materials to promote compliance.

While each allied agency participating in yesterday's sweep conducts its own enforcement and compliance investigations and audits throughout the year, departments are looking for ways to collaborate in multi-agency outreach and compliance efforts to educate more business owners and have an impact on the state's illegal underground economy.

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Media Notes: Agencies participating in yesterday's operation and the media relations contact for each are listed below, so media may make direct contact for questions regarding the department's activity and findings.

The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $310 billion in premiums annually in California. Since 2011 the California Department of Insurance received more than 1,000,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $469 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.4357. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.